Wall construction.



Patented Mar. 18,1919.

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C. E. OUASS.

WALL CONSTRUCTION.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. :1. i916.

FIG-3 FIG. 2

i lg/ENTOR I rmrrnn STATES PATENT omncu.

CHARLES E. QUASS, or CANTON, 01-110, ssrenon TO JOHN F. ODEA, or'CANroN, 01110.

WALL CONSTRUCTION.

T alltukom it'may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLEsE. QUAss, a

residentof Canton, in thecounty of Stark and State of Ohio, have invented a newand useful Improvement in Wall Constructions, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to fireproof walls, partitions and ceilings. The object of the invention is to provide an improved wall, partition or ceiling comprising a series of unit panels or plates of the same construction, thereby enabling them to be made in quantities at low cost, and which panels can be applied to the framework of any building by comparatively unskilled labor; and further, a wall, partition or ceiling which is strong and rigid, which has no open joints orcracks through which air can pass,

so that it offers thorough protection against; fire, which can be taken downwithout de struction of its parts and therefore may be used over again, and which provides an even wall surface susceptible of ornamentation.

Further objects of the invention are in part obvious, and in part will appear more in detail hereinafter. i

In the drawings, Figure 1 represents a face view of a number of panels or plates made according to the invention and assembled to form a portion of a wall; Fig. 2 is a rear face view of one of the panels; Fig. 3 is a cross section, on a larger scale, on the line 3-3, Fig. 1; and Fig. 4 is a similar section of a corner joint.

My improved wall, partitionor ceiling comprises a series of unit panels or plates, all of which are of the same construction, enabling them to be made in quantities at low cost. Each panel is preferably of a form and construction highly resistant to fire, and yet having sufficient strength to withstand water in case of a fire, or the ordinary blows and knocks encountered in use. The panels may be of various forms, only one of which is shown in the drawings for purposes of illustration.

Each panel or plate comprises a sheet metal shell or jacket 1 which may be used by itself as a hollow metal panel, but which preferably is provided with a filling or body 2 of solid material, and in its finished form is a flat slab of substantial thickness. In forming the shell 1, the metal sheet which is usually of rectangular or square form, has its edge portions bent laterally normal to the plane of the sheet, as at 3, and then back- Specification of Letters Patent. 7 Patented Mar, 18 1919 Application filed March 11, 1916. Serial No. 83,696. i

wardly the sheet to form inwardly extendingfianges 4, said flanges 4 and the forming inwardly facing grooves 5. The body or filling 2 of solid material enters grooves 5 and is therefore firmly locked or held in the shell or casing. The finished panel has one of its faces formedby the continuous metal sheet and the other consistin of the central exposed portion of the solid body, 'as at 6 surrounding which are the severalinwardly extending flanges 4.

The several edges of the panels are provided with suitable means arranged to interlock with locking keys or strips interposed between adjacent panels. In the form shown each panel is provided on two or more of its edges with narrow grooves or channels '7, formed by an inwardly extending fold of the bent metal. The solid filling or bodysurrounds this metal fold and supports the same from the inside. Said material may be of any suitable character, such as plaster any plastic material in common use for fireproofing walls 01' ceilings, or plaster board,

slate or tiling. It is usually filled into the shell or casing in a plastic form and when hardened forms a very solid, rigid slab.

In erecting a wall or ceiling the panels are laid in rows edge to edge, as shown in Fig. 1. Each two adjacent rows of panels are fastened or secured to each other by locking strips 8, which are merely fiat bands or strips of metal with their edges inserted into the edge grooves or channels 7 of the panel. The panels are secured to the framework of the building such as the studding or joists 9, by nails or screws driven directly through any suitable portion of the panels. The locking strips or keys 8 are not directly secured to the framework, but merely lock adjacent panels to each other and. prevent any panel from being removed without tearing down the surrounding panels. Consequently, the wall is highly resistant to ordinary wear or tear and is not liable to come apart in case of a fire. It has sufiicient strength and rigidity if the parting strips 8 run only in one direction, either vertically or horizontally on the wall, or longitudinally or transversely on the ceiling. This arrangement requires .the grooves or channels 7 to be located on only two opposite sides of each panel. However, in some cases a more edges of the body in a plane parallel with the body of closely interwoven or interlocked construction is desirable, in which case the parting strips 8 extending in one direction wlll be long strips, even the full length of the room,

while the joints between adjacent panels running in the other direction will be filled by short locking strips arranged crosswise between the long strips,,somewhat like the rungs of a ladder, or may be or full length and lap over the first strips, as will be readily understood. If two sets of looking strips are used, running crosswise of each other, all of the joints between adjacentpanels are entirely closed, which absolutely prevents air from passing through the wall and consequently increases its resistance to 'fire.

The assembled wall' or ceiling has an even practically continuous metal surface which protects the fireproof composition from injury and gives the wallrigidity and strength to enable itto withstand ordinary wear and tear or the action of water in case of a fire. The continuous outerexposed surface of the panels may,.o'f course, be provided with any surface ornamentation, such as by painting orienameling the, same, and if desired, maybe embossed with a suitable design in relief thereon before filling' them with fireproof composition, as will be readily understood.

The wall may be taken down by merely removing the nails or securing devices,

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five leaving the panels uninjured, except for the nail holes which can be utilized in erecting the panels in a new place .or may be easily filled with plaster.

The panels may be made of any desired size or shape, but are preferably rectangular. Square panels have the advantage of beingsymmetrical about a diagonal, so that they can be turned to several different positions. This arrangement sometimes enables the panels removed from one wall to be utilized in another wall without additional nail holes. I

What I claim is I A fireproof panel adaptedto be used for forming or covering the walls or ceilings o1. abuilding, comprising a fiat rectangular metal casing having its edges bent at right angles to the body and then inwardly substantially parallel with the body and doubly bent outwardly substantially parallel with the body to form a narrow groove near the center of the edge and then at right angles to thebody and again in wardly substantially parallel with the body, and a filling of fireproof materialsolidified within said casing.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

CHARLES E. QUASS. Witnesses n. v. only, JANE F. WILSON.

cents each, by addressing the Commissioner offatents,

Washington, I). C. 

